Friendship, Puzzles and a Good Joke

It has been over three years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, yet we know the struggles continue. Like many religious communities, the Racine Dominicans have pitched in to help in numerous ways, both individually and as a community, since August 29, 2005. Some sisters, associates and Siena Center staff members went to New Orleans to assist in the clean-up efforts. Others contributed books, cleaning materials and money.

Some of our sisters have corresponded with sisters who were displaced by the hurricane, offering support and encouragement. One "pen pal" relationship that has blossomed into a deep friendship is between Racine Dominican S. Rose Ellen and S. Aquinas of the Sisters of the Holy Family, whose ministry was in the Ninth Ward, the area most devastated by Katrina.

S. Rose Ellen (right) began writing to S. Aquinas in January 2006, asking what she needed. Shortly thereafter, she sent a package including everything from paper, pens and postage stamps to puzzle and joke books, toothpaste, tea and a deck of cards. To date, she has sent over 40 "care packages" to S. Aquinas, who now lives north of New Orleans in Alexandria, LA. S. Aquinas shares the goodies with her seven housemates; none of the sisters have been able to return to their community in New Orleans because of various health reasons.

S. Aquinas (left) writes to S. Rose Ellen about every three weeks and occasionally phones her pen pal. "It's so much fun to get her letters," S. Rose Ellen said. "It makes my day!" The pen pals have never met but discovered they have much in common - both were teachers for many years, beginning in the early 1930s; both are 95 years old and enjoy sharing stories from their ministries and lives; and both love music, art, crafts, reading and a good joke.

"I feel very close to her," S. Rose Ellen reflected about S. Aquinas. And no doubt the feeling is mutual. After enduring a traumatic evacuation from her home, which was then completely destroyed, S. Aquinas received a ray of hope one day in the mail - followed by regular gifts of S. Rose Ellen's love and concern in the form of thread and yarn and scissors and paper clips and magazines and, always, special snacks and treats.

For those who endured the wrath of Katrina life will never be the same. Yet, from devastating ashes can rise life in new and unexpected forms - like the bond that has flourished between two nonagenarians living several states and a thousand miles apart, united by their concern and care for one another.

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